The first meeting was convened last week with the Fight Against Fentanyl commissioner opening
The federal government has established the Integrated Money Laundering Intelligence Partnership (IMLIP) for law enforcement and major banks in Canada to permissibly share money laundering and organized crime intelligence.
The government convened the partnership’s first working meeting last Wednesday. Kevin Brosseau, commissioner of Canada’s Fight Against Fentanyl, opened the meeting.
The partnership intends to strengthen Canada’s response to organized crime and high-end money laundering schemes like those related to fentanyl trafficking. It will also bolster working relationships between law enforcement agencies and the financial services sector for a better understanding of money laundering threats.
“One of the most effective ways we can tackle the illegal fentanyl trade and strengthen our border, is to follow the money. This new partnership will help identify and enable law enforcement to cut off illicit financial proceeds that fuel organized crime in this country, and work to dismantle the organizations that profit from illegal drugs,” said David McGuinty, public safety minister, in a statement.
Partnership members include RCMP Federal Policing program officials and the chief anti-money laundering officers of major Canadian financial institutions. The initial partnership meetings will be convened by the Department of Finance Canada and Public Safety Canada to help establish a formal, legally authorized governance structure and to support policies.
“In order to be effective in addressing complex criminal activities such as money laundering, including those associated to lethal drugs like fentanyl, collaboration between the financial sector and law enforcement is key. This new partnership will play a vital role in helping detect, disrupt and prevent money laundering and organized crime activities,” said Dominic LeBlanc, minister of finance and intergovernmental affairs, in a statement.
The government confirmed that participants are not required to disclose personal information to participate in IMLIP. Participation also does not impact current legal or regulatory obligations, including any relevant compliance under the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (PCMLTFA) or any privacy laws.
“Canada is taking significant action to stop the production and trafficking of illegal fentanyl, and since no amount of fentanyl is too small to tackle, our goal is to eliminate it completely from our communities. This requires us to use every tool at our disposal, and intelligence sharing to combat money laundering is one of them,” Brosseau said.
Canada plans to emphasize illicit finance threats through its 2025 G7 presidency. It also intends to pitch having G7 finance ministers develop a call to action to tackle criminal activity affecting the financial sector and national security.
“Money laundering is a global problem that threatens Canada’s economy and national interests. To help combat this issue, the RCMP recognizes the importance of working with a wide array of partners to identify opportunities for disruption, and dismantle the organized crime groups involved,” RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme said.
The partnership was initially publicized in the “2024 Fall Economic Statement.” On February 5, the prime minister also announced a Canada-US Joint Strike Force against organized crime, fentanyl trafficking, and money laundering.
